There are 15 more bachelor’s in criminal justice degree programs in Florida that can prepare undergrads for addressing the Sunshine State’s dark violent crime rate.
The SUSF system conferred 15,362 criminal justice degrees from 2000 to 2010 to aid public safety measures. Although crimes have decreased by 43.3 percent since 1993, Florida has 12 cities on Neighborhood Scout’s “Most Dangerous” list, including Homestead, Daytona Beach, Riveria Beach, Lake Worth, Fort Myers, and Fort Pierce. According to the BLS, criminal justice majors will find 233,250 protective service jobs across Florida that make an annual mean wage of $40,310.
Consider these undergrad criminal justice schools in Florida (T-Z) to find a job that makes you proud and betters the community.
For the first few articles in our list, see:
- Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice Degree Programs in Florida (A-E)
- Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice Degree Programs in Florida (F-H)
- Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice Degree Programs in Florida (I-S)
University of Central Florida
College of Health and Public Affairs
Admitting 55,733 undergrad Knights with a mean ACT score of 27, the University of Central Florida is a public, selective space-grant research institution occupying 1,893 acres in Orlando near the Space Coast with 2,486 academic staff and a $148.9 million endowment. Crowned America’s 23rd best college campus on Niche, UCF is ranked the 496th top U.S. university overall by Times Higher Education. The College of Health and Public Affairs stands out among bachelor’s in criminal justice degree programs in Florida for the third highest six-year graduation rate of 69 percent.
Bachelor of Arts/Science in Criminal Justice
Directed by Cory Watkins, PhD, the Bachelor of Arts/Science in Criminal Justice offers UCF undergrads a platform for studying the intricate procedures utilized for apprehending, prosecuting, and incarcerating law breakers. Offering an optional Scholar’s Track for a minimum 3.0 GPA, the 120-credit degree has certificates for Criminal Profiling, Victim Advocacy, Crime Analysis and Mapping, Security Management, or Crime Scene Investigation. Majors might also intern at the FBI Orlando Office, join Lambda Alpha Epsilon, volunteer at Brevard County Victim Services, and win ASIS Foundation Scholarships.
Accreditation
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
Building 80, Suite 311
12805 Pegasus Drive
Orlando, FL 32816
(407) 823-2603
Cory.Watkins@ucf.edu
University of Florida
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Affiliated with legal alums like Rosemary Barkett, Susan Black, and James Whittemore, the University of Florida is endowed for $1.46 billion as a public, sea-grant RU/VH research powerhouse with 38,035 undergrad Gators studying within the SEC from 2,000 acres in Gainesville around Century Tower. Named America’s fourth best value on Forbes, UFL is ranked the 23rd top doctoral-granting university for foreigners by the Institute on International Education. The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences was also proclaimed the #1 college for criminal justice in Florida on Niche with median early-career earnings of $51,300.
Criminology, Law and Society Major
Taught by PhD-level faculty from UC Irvine, Iowa, Colorado-Boulder, Central Florida, and FIU under coordinator Dr. Jodi Lane, Florida’s Criminology, Law and Society Major attracts over 400 undergrads seeking in-depth insights into the legal system from a liberal arts perspective. The 34-credit, upper-division B.A. major requires a cumulative 2.8 GPA before entering courses from criminological theory to juvenile law. Students may also intern at Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, join the Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, and study legal journals in George A. Smathers Libraries.
Combined B.A./M.A. in Criminology, Law and Society
Open for admission until October 15th or March 15th yearly, the Combined B.A./M.A. in Criminology, Law and Society is one of the most intensive bachelor’s in criminal justice degree programs in Florida where graduate study on legal processes begins for seniors. Mandating a 3.5 GPA overall, the 144-credit option waives 12 credits for accelerating content from quantitative methods to forensics before the CLS capstone. Majors complete 180-hour internships at agencies like Peaceful Paths, Alachua County State Attorney’s Office, and Florida Department of Corrections.
Accreditation
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
Turlington Hall 3219
300 Newell Drive
Gainesville, FL 32611
(352) 294-7193
jlane@ufl.edu
University of Florida Online
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Given a 2015 Suncoast Emmy Online Course Production nomination, the University of Florida Online is the public, land-grant AAU member’s distance branch of the Gainesville campus that’s delivering 19 majors to approximately 3,600 non-traditional Gators. Applauded for America’s 20th best online undergrad degrees by the U.S. News, UFL is ranked the 15th top public university and 40th best research institute on Forbes. The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences also delivers one of the online bachelor’s in criminal justice degree programs in Florida with a three-semester system and high retention rate of 96 percent.
Online B.A. Criminology
Affordably priced at $129 for Floridians and $552 for non-residents per credit, the UF Online B.A. Criminology degree selectively admits transfers with 60+ college credits to finish their undergraduate study on the influences impacting legal justice processes. Available 24/7 via Canvas, the 60-credit degree completion option stipulates a 2.5 GPA before flexible courses from law enforcement to probation. Online learners could add certificates for Forensic Death Investigation, Addiction and Recovery, Wildlife Forensic Sciences, or Geomatics.
Accreditation
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
100 Fletcher Drive
P.O. Box 112015
Gainesville, FL 32611
(855) 994-2867
admissions@ufonline.ufl.edu
University of Miami
College of Arts & Sciences
Occupying 5.9 million square feet worth $657 million in Coral Gables with extra campuses in Richmond West and Virginia Key, the University of Miami is a private, nonsectarian research institution split into 12 colleges under Chairman Richard D. Fain to serve 10,768 undergrad Hurricanes. Ranked 182nd globally by Times Higher Education, Miami is named America’s 77th best private college and 15th best employer on Forbes. Also acclaimed for the 80th best sociology education on the USNWR survey, the College of Arts & Sciences has 40 majors and 400 full-time, terminal-degree faculty.
Criminology Major
Chaired by Roger G. Dunham, PhD, Miami’s Criminology Major capitalizes on the 12:1 student-faculty ratio to engage undergrads in scientific inquiry and abstract thinking about the problems of criminal behavior in society. Estimated to cost $45,600 annually before aid, the 31-credit major requires courses from deviance and juvenile delinquency to social research and quantitative methods lab. Students may also pledge Alpha Phi Sigma, obtain the Bryce Finley Ryan Award, hear guest speakers like John Hagan, take Pre-Law offerings, and intern with Coral Gables Police.
Sociology and Criminology Double Major
If bachelor’s in criminal justice degree programs in Florida aren’t broad enough, consider earning the Sociology and Criminology Double Major from Miami for a B.A. that covers both social sciences for better understanding of how humans aggregate into communities. The 58-credit dual option retains 92 percent of freshmen with exciting courses like social organization, social inequalities, and deviant behavior. Other opportunities include studying in Buenos Aires, attending the Sociology Colloquium Series, joining Alpha Kappa Delta, and getting published in Criminology & Public Policy.
Accreditation
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
Merrick Building 120
5202 University Drive
Coral Gables, FL 33146
(305) 284-6762
rgdunham@miami.edu
University of North Florida
College of Arts and Sciences
Established in 1972 by educator Thomas G. Carpenter, the University of North Florida is a public, land-grant A-Sun higher learning institute endowed for $94.8 million that’s keeping its 13,070 undergrad Ospreys involved in 200+ clubs atop its 28-building, LEED-certified campus in Jacksonville. Declared America’s 74th best public value on Kiplinger’s, UNF is ranked the 161st best public university and 106th top Southern school by Forbes. The College of Arts and Sciences grants another of the face-to-face bachelor’s in criminal justice degree programs in Florida with 57 percent admission.
Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice
Presently priced at $6,394 in-state and $20,798 out-of-state yearly, UNF’s Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice instills the inquiry skills for conducting scientific research about the patterns behind crime and punishment for application in legal professions. Requiring a minor, the 45-credit major shows courses from social control to court processes and child abuse on Osprey Map. Undergrads may also follow the Federal Internship Track, volunteer at Operation New Hope, join the Student Criminal Justice Association, travel to Florence, and begin the Master of Science.
Accreditation
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
Building 51, Room 2130
1 University of North Florida Drive
Jacksonville, FL 32224
(904) 620-2413
david.forde@unf.edu
University of South Florida
College of Behavioral and Community Sciences
Given over $400 million in research funding, the University of South Florida is a top-tier public, space-grant RU/VH SURA member led by President Judy Genshaft and educating 36,108 undergrad Bulls from its 1,913 acres in Tampa. Placed 14th among Sierra Magazine’s “Coolest Schools,” USF is deemed America’s 78th best university for social mobility in Washington Monthly. Ranked #5 nationally within The Journal of Criminal Justice Education, the College of Behavioral and Community Sciences has grown since its 1972 founding with doctoral, master’s, and bachelor’s in criminal justice degree programs in Florida.
Major in Criminology
Starting with an A.A./A.S. from a Florida College System school, the Major in Criminology takes an online or hybrid format for USF undergrads with a minimum 2.0 GPA to finish a Bachelor of Arts specialized in the macro- and micro-level models of delinquent behavior. Integrating the Bar Training for Active Bystanders (BarTAB), the 24-credit major spans topics from cyberbullying to serial killing and domestic violence. Students could also join the Honors Program, attend Criminology Club events, and intern with Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.
Accreditation
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
Social Science Building 107
4202 E. Fowler Avenue
Tampa, FL 33620
(813) 974-3311
afranz@usf.edu
University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee
College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences
Devoted to “Truth and Wisdom,” the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee is a separately accredited public, regional office that began accepting freshmen in 2013 to grow enrollment to 4,500 Bulls within its 100,000-square-foot, 24-classroom facility off Seagate Drive in the Tampa Bay Area. Honored for America’s 187th best academics and 203rd best location on Niche, USFSM is ranked the 18th safest university nationwide by ADT Security. The College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences charges an average net price of $5,324 annually for one of the cheapest bachelor’s in criminal justice degree programs in Florida.
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminology
Directed by Dr. James Unnever, USFSM’s Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminology develops students’ passion for justice by instilling the skills to innovatively resolve issues afflicting today’s legal and correctional systems. Admitting 34 percent of applicants for a 13:1 student-faculty ratio, the 36-credit major injects courses for policing, abnormal behavior, incarceration, courts, and substantive criminal law. Alums have excelled with the FBI, Department of Justice, Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, Sarasota Police Department, and more.
Accreditation
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
SMC Building C247
8350 N. Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, FL 34243
(941) 359-4218
unnever@usf.edu
University of South Florida St. Petersburg
Society, Culture, and Language Department
Enrolling 4,501 Bulls for a 16:1 student-faculty ratio, the University of South Florida St. Petersburg is another separately accredited public, regional branch opened in 1965 that’s now led by Chancellor Sophia Wisniewska with 46 acres adjacent to All Children’s Hospital on the Gulf Coast. Congratulated for America’s 187th best professors on Niche, USFSP was ranked the 72nd best Southern college and 24th top public school by the U.S. News. The Society, Culture, and Language Department confers another of the bachelor’s in criminal justice degree programs in Florida with a 92 percent alum satisfaction rate.
BA in Criminology
Currently billing $193 in-state and $557 out-of-state per credit, the BA in Criminology is directed by Dr. Dawn Cecil for USFSP undergrads to embrace scholarly knowledge about the prevention, control, and punishment of criminal behaviors for societal safety. Admitting an average SAT score of 1080, the four-year plan diversifies courses from criminal rights to victimology and justice administration. Majors could also join the Southern Criminal Justice Association, pledge Alpha Phi Sigma, intern with Homeland Security, and take education abroad to Munich or Mumbai.
Accreditation
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
Davis Memorial Hall 284
140 Seventh Avenue S.
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
(727) 873-4156
dceil@mail.usf.edu
University of Tampa
College of Social Sciences, Mathematics and Education
Belonging to the Sunshine State Conference, the University of Tampa is a private, nonsectarian IC&UF research institution endowed for $36.1 million that’s led by President Ronald L. Vaughn to educate 8,310 undergrad Spartans for $27,044 annually upon its 60-building, Moorish Revival-style campus in Downtown. Ranked America’s 316th best private college with the 323nd most grateful alums on Forbes, Tampa is included within The Princeton Review’s “Best 382 Colleges.” The College of Social Sciences, Mathematics and Education offers one of the bachelor’s in criminal justice degree programs in Florida and a M.S. option.
Bachelor of Science in Criminology
Including field trips to Florida State Prison and Arcadia State Hospital, Tampa’s Bachelor of Science in Criminology gives undergrads experiential education to develop understanding on the nature of crimes for public service careers. Chaired by Dr. Kathryn Branch, the 124-credit degree begins the freshmen year with courses from corrections to criminal profiling and court procedure. Students could also obtain the Philip Quinn Award, study in Krakow, intern with the Florida Law Enforcement Department, join the Criminology Scholars Program, and minor in Criminal Investigation.
Accreditation
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
Plant Hall 411
401 W. Kennedy Blvd.
Tampa, FL 33606
(813) 257-1705
kbranch@ut.edu
University of West Florida
College of Education and Professional Studies
Conferring over 85,500 degrees since 1963, the University of West Florida is a selective, mid-sized public “Military Friendly” school undertaking a Quality Enhancement Plan to better educate its 10,082 undergrad Argos from 1,600 wooded acres in Ferry Pass along the Escambia Bay. Ranked Florida’s 15th best online university with an average tuition of $6,360 on College Choice, UWF is named the 156th top Southern college and 241st best U.S. research institute on Forbes. The College of Education and Professional Studies was ranked 177th nationally for social work by the U.S. News with nine other majors.
Criminal Justice, B.A.
Taught at the Pensacola and Emerald Coast campuses with some online courses, UWF’s Criminal Justice B.A. prepares undergrads for assuming administrative responsibilities overseeing law enforcement efforts to apprehend and prevent felonious behavior. Chaired by Dr. Matthew Crow, the 120-credit degree builds on the social sciences with courses from criminology to corrections and courts. Majors could also declare the Forensic Studies Minor, intern at Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, join the Kappa Lambda Chapter, attend CJSA activities, and enroll in Army ROTC.
Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice/Social Work
Advised by Dr. Diane Scott, the Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice/Social Work at UWF Pensacola is one of the most unique bachelor’s in criminal justice degree programs in Florida where CSWE-accredited study is integrated for generalist human rights training. The 63-credit dual major marries courses from abnormal psychology and social welfare to judicial process and policy analysis. Undergrads can select from 100+ practicum agencies like Refuge for Women, minor in Substance Abuse, and engage in the Gulf Region Health Outreach Project.
Criminal Justice Accelerated Bachelor’s-Master’s
Mandating a 3.5 GPA or better, the Criminal Justice Accelerated Bachelor’s-Master’s (ABM) suits ambitious UWF undergrads with 75+ credits who wish to jumpstart their graduate study for greater depth of knowledge for law enforcement leadership. During the junior year, students take the GRE and apply to the M.S. before March 15th for finishing the 33-credit degree within one extra year. Offering optional concentrations for Homeland Security, Social Work, or Public Administration, the master’s includes internship placements like Gulf Breeze Police and Century Correctional Institution.
Accreditation
• Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
Building 85, Room 161A
11000 University Parkway
Pensacola, FL 32514
(850) 857-6371
mcrow@uwf.edu
Webber International University
Undergraduate Programs Division
Opened in Old Main in 1927 by Roger W. Babson and Grace Knight, Webber International University is a private, nonprofit SACS-accredited business-centric school endowed for $4.9 million that’s merged with St. Andrews College to enroll 800 Warriors with 110 acres in Babson Park. Celebrated as America’s 232nd most diverse university on Niche, Webber is ranked the 250th best Southeastern value in Washington Monthly. The Undergraduate Programs Division has 11 majors, including one of the bachelor’s in criminal justice degree programs in Florida, with 53 percent admission.
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Management
Unlocking a median starting salary of $35,800, Webber’s Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Management is chaired by Dr. Peter Barone to instruct undergrads on the intricacies of law enforcement for engaging in social control. With a 23:1 student-faculty ratio, the 33-credit major builds upon the Associate of Science with courses like emergency planning, juvenile delinquency, corrections, and evidence administration. Undergrads could also attend the ACJA Region Five Conference, join Criminal Justice Club, work with Campus Safety, and study in Brazil.
Accreditation
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
1201 N. Scenic Highway
Babson Park, FL 33827
(863) 734-1510
baronepa@webber.edu
Joining the 26.2 percent of Florida’s population with a bachelor’s or higher could open better prospects in a law enforcement field that will add 153,900 U.S. jobs by 2024. Graduates may even land top-paying positions as FBI agents, private investigators, intelligence analysts, forensic examiners, security managers, police detectives, and corrections wardens.
This concludes our listing of bachelor’s in criminal justice degree programs in Florida.
